Sabathia doesn’t want to see his innings limited

CC Sabathia is so important to the Yankees that it is hard to imagine them having much of a chance to do anything in 2013 without him. That’s why the coaching staff has discussed the idea of limiting his innings next season to protect his elbow which had surgery earlier this offseason.

“I don’t know what you would get out of it,’’ Sabathia told George King of the NY Post. “I don’t think cutting back innings or reducing pitch count would do any good.’’

CC averaged 235 innings a season in his first three years with the Yankees, but only tossed 200 this season because he missed time on the DL twice, once for his groin and once for his elbow. So he had surgery to repair his elbow this offseason. It wasn’t Tommy John Surgery so he’s expected to start the season, but there is a clear reason the Yankees would at least consider cutting his innings.

Honestly, I don’t care what Sabathia says though. Athletes always think they are indestructible and CC is no different as he resisted the Yankees both times they put him on the DL last year. He’s so important to this team though that they need to do the safe thing and rest him when they can. I still expect him to toss 110-115 pitches every time out, but when they can get him some rest they should. It doesn’t even have to be a lot, but skipping 10-15 innings during the season could mean he’s pitching and healthy in October when they really need him.

About Rob Abruzzese

Rob Abruzzese created Bronx Baseball Daily in 2008 just before graduating from Brooklyn College. He currently serves BBD as its editor and works as a reporter at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Follow Rob on Twitter @RobAbruzzese.